NFL teams exercising caution (and optimism) while discussing Tom Brady

Several GMs and coaches were careful not to tamper with Tom Brady — who’s still technically under contract — but they made it clear they’re interested.

The unusual nature of Tom Brady’s current contract with the New England Patriots continues to be on full display these days.

Technically-speaking, Brady is still under contract with the Patriots for another season. He signed a two-year extension before the start of the 2019 season, so seemingly, he wouldn’t hit free agency until the end of the 2020 season/start of the 2021 season.

But as you no doubt have heard ad nauseam by now, Brady is very much indeed looking like he could be a free agent — not in 2021, but in 2020. That’s because the second year of his deal is a “void year,” and was put in place specifically so that either the team or Brady could decide to move on after the midway point of the contract passed.

That’s right where we’re at today. Free agency officially won’t start till March 18, but already, several teams have indicated they might be interested in signing Brady should he become available.

The trick is: they’ve all indicated it without technically, publicly indicating it, that is.

Bleacher Report’s Adam Wells reported recently that Los Angeles Chargers GM Tom Telesco said it’s “way too early right now to eliminate anything right now” with regards to rumors that the Bolts could be interesting in teaming up with Brady in 2020. Los Angeles recently parted ways with longtime signal-caller Philip Rivers, leaving a sizable void at the game’s most important position for the AFC West contenders.

CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr also reported that another AFC West executive, Denver Broncos GM John Elway, was at least open to the idea of signing his second future Hall of Fame quarterback in free agency to his squad (the first being Peyton Manning, of course).

“We’d always talk to him but I think we’re happy with what we have in Drew,” Elway said. “We’re excited about Drew. It’s nice to have a young guy to be able to build around and feel like you’ve got a guy that has the potential to be a long-time starter for you and really kind of the sky’s the limit for him, depending on how he continues to improve.”

That’s Elway’s nice way of saying that the Broncos are happy with their current starter, but of course they’d talk to Brady about playing in the Mile High City should the opportunity present itself. Most franchises in the NFL would also take that opportunity, too.

As NESN’s Zack Cox notes, the Tennessee Titans and the Las Vegas Raiders — two teams that are believed to be the frontrunners in the Tom Brady sweepstakes if he makes it to free agency — have also been coy about their reported interest in TB12.

Titans head coach Mike Vrabel — a former teammate of Brady’s back in the early days of the Patriots dynasty — bristled when reporters asked him questions about Tennessee’s alleged interest in Brady. While he didn’t outright shut down the rumors, he still backed his current quarterback Ryan Tannehill (who could also soon hit free agency) … but he was very sure to choose his words carefully while discussing Brady.

Raiders GM Mike Mayock was similarly noncommittal and elusive while discussing the rumored interest his organization has in using Brady to replace Derek Carr as the team moves to Sin City for its first season.

One thing is for certain: even if these other NFL teams are being selective with what they can and can’t say, it’s clear from reading between the lines that the vast majority of them are following the Tom Brady situation quite closely. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see them all enter a bidding war on March 18 if the Patriots don’t lock down their six-time Super Bowl champion by that point.